Turkish security forces have seized one tonne and 71 kilograms of heroin on board an offshore supply ship identified as Commander Tide.
The Democratic Republic of Congo-flagged cargo ship was raided by Turkish naval forces, the coastguard and special police forces, on Friday while sailing in international waters bound for Turkey.
The contraband, estimated to be worth around USD57 million, was found in secret compartments on the ship.
The seizure is a record drug bust for security forces in Turkey.
Commander Tide’s nine crew members were detained and taken to a naval base in Marmaris.
The 1984-built vessel’s current position on Marine Traffic shows that the vessel, which is said to be laid-up, was stopped.
According to the data by VesselsValue, the ship was bought by Marshall-Islands-based Corbata Maritime.
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